Ski boot horn slide

ABSTRACT

A ski boot horn specially adapted to help to easily insert and remove a foot from a ski boot is provided. Such a ski boot horn slide may be made of a flexible, thin and low friction material forming an elongated body portion having a length-to-width ratio of at least  5  to  1.  The ski boot horn slide may also incorporate a handle portion having a gripping handle hole designed for comfortable ease of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to skiwear and, more particularly, to an elongated ski boot shoe horn of flexible, thin material.

Ski boots are typically difficult to enter, especially when they are cold or have not been worn for a while. This is because the boot is often stiff and the material of the ski sock and the boot interior fabric stick to each other, like Velcro, as the foot is inserted, making it hard to push the foot forward into the boot. In most cases, even when a boot is broken in, foot insertion can be a struggle.

The shiny low friction surface of the present invention, and its ability to mold to the back of the boot heel, allows the foot to slide easily into the ski boot. Moreover, because of its length, the present invention does not require the skier to bend down quite so much, which is a benefit. The present invention is effective for both inserting and removing the foot from the ski boot.

As can be seen, there is a need for a ski boot horn especially adapted to facilitate insertion and removal of a foot from a ski boot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a ski boot horn slide includes a unitary sheet of flexible material formed into a handle portion and an elongated body portion, wherein the handle portion forms a handle opening, and the elongated body portion has a length-to-width ratio of at least 5 to 1.

In another aspect of the present invention, a ski boot horn slide includes a handle portion; a handle opening formed by the handle portion; an elongated body portion joined to the handle portion; and two parallel surfaces defining the elongated body, wherein the two parallel surfaces have a length-to-width ratio of at least 5 to 1.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a ski boot horn slide provides a unitary sheet of flexible material formed into a handle portion and an elongated body portion, wherein the flexible material provides at least one reduced friction surface; a handle opening formed in the handle portion; a raised lip surface along a periphery of the handle opening; and the elongated body portion has a length-to-width ratio of at least 5 to 1, wherein the elongated body portion forms an arcuate insertion point at an end opposite the handle portion, and wherein the handle portion has a width greater than the width of the elongated portion.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a ski boot horn slide specially adapted to facilitate easy insertion and removal of a foot to and from a ski boot. Such a ski boot horn slide may be a flexible, thin and reduced friction material forming an elongated body portion having a length-to-width ratio of at least 5 to 1. The ski boot horn slide may also provide a handle portion having a comfortable gripping handle hole designed for ease of use.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may include a ski boot horn slide 30. The ski boot horn slide 30 may provide two joined portions, an elongated body portion 10 and a handle portion 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5. The elongated body portion 10 may be defined by two parallel side surfaces 24 that extend for a length ranging between approximately twelve and 18 inches, and so defining a width ranging between approximately two to three inches. The narrow width takes up less space when employed with ski boots 18 that may be rigid and narrow for skiing purposes. The elongated body portion 10 may terminate at an end opposite the handle portion 16, forming an insertion point 26. The insertion point 26 may be curved, arcuate, rounded-corner shape, or the like. In certain embodiments, the insertion point 26 shape has side surfaces equal or less than the two parallel side surfaces 24. As a result, the elongated body portion 10 may provide the arcuate-shaped insertion point 26 for leading the insertion of the present invention into the ski boot 18.

A flexible material may extend between the two parallel side surfaces 24 and other side surfaces of the elongated body portion 10. The flexible material may be adapted or designed to be repeatedly bent without fracturing, such as plasticized, metallic, or polymeric material, and provides or can be adapted to provide (via coating, treatment, or the like) at least one side that provides a reduced friction surface. The reduced frictional properties are contemplated in relationship to materials specifically used to line ski boots 18. The flexible material may be substantially flat when not in use, though may bend and shape itself to the contour of the foot 20 of a user 22 when in use.

The transition between the elongated body portion 10 and the handle portion 16 may be defined by a shoulder-shape belonging to the handle portion 16, which would be wider than the two parallel surfaces 24. The handle portion 16 may define a handle hole 12 sized and adapted to be easy to grip with at least one finger. A raised lip surface 14 may be disposed along a periphery of the handle hole 12. The raised lip surface 14 may be adapted to facilitate the grip of the handle hole 12.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The ski boot horn slide 30 disclosed above may be provided. The user 20 may grip the handle hole 12 and slide the elongated body portion 10 between a rear portion of a ski boot 18 and the wearer's foot so that the foot will then glide easily against the elongated body portion 10 down into the ski boot 18 without catching against the interior of the ski boot 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6. When the foot is inserted into the ski boot 18, the ski boot horn slide 30 may be drawn out by pulling on the handle portion 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7.

This method of use can be accomplished without the user 20 leaning over fully loaded with wearable ski gear while dealing with possibly rigid and difficult to enter ski boots 18.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ski boot horn slide comprising: a unitary sheet of flexible material formed into a handle portion and an elongated body portion, wherein the handle portion forms a handle opening, and the elongated body portion has a length-to-width ratio of at least 5 to
 1. 2. The ski boot horn slide of claim 1, further comprising a raised lip surface along a periphery of the handle opening.
 3. The ski boot horn slide of claim 1, wherein the elongated body portion forms an arcuate insertion point at an end opposite the handle portion.
 4. The ski boot horn slide of claim 1, wherein the handle portion has a width greater than the width of the elongated portion.
 5. The ski boot horn slide of claim 1, wherein the flexible material provides at least one reduced friction surface.
 6. The ski boot horn slide of claim 1, wherein the elongated body portion has a length-to-width ratio of approximately 5.2.
 7. A ski boot horn slide comprising: a handle portion; a handle opening formed by the handle portion; an elongated body portion joined to the handle portion; and two parallel side surfaces defining the elongated body, wherein the two parallel surfaces have a length-to-width ratio of at least 5 to
 1. 8. The ski boot horn slide of claim 7, further comprising a flexible material extending between the two parallel surfaces.
 9. The ski boot horn slide of claim 7, wherein the flexible material provides at least one reduced friction surface.
 10. The ski boot horn slide of claim 7, further comprising a raised lip surface along a periphery of the handle opening.
 11. The ski boot horn slide of claim 7, wherein the elongated body portion forms an arcuate insertion point at an end opposite the handle portion.
 12. The ski boot horn slide of claim 11, wherein the arcuate insertion point shape has side surfaces equal or less than the two parallel side surfaces.
 13. The ski boot horn slide of claim 7, wherein the handle portion has a width greater than the width of the two parallel side surfaces.
 14. The ski boot horn slide of claim 7, wherein the elongated body portion has a length-to-width ratio of approximately 5.2.
 15. A ski boot horn slide comprising: a unitary sheet of flexible material formed into a handle portion and an elongated body portion, wherein the flexible material provides at least one reduced friction surface; a handle opening formed in the handle portion; a raised lip surface along a periphery of the handle opening; and the elongated body portion has a length-to-width ratio of at least 5 to 1, wherein the elongated body portion forms an arcuate insertion point at an end opposite the handle portion, and wherein the handle portion has a width greater than the width of the elongated portion. 